"The CHOYA AGED 3YEARS EXTRA FRUIT" and " The CHOYA GOLDEN UME FRUIT " Win Double Gold, and "The CHOYA FRENCH OAK" Wins Gold at the SFWSC 2026 International Spirits Competition
" The CHOYA AGED 3YEARS EXTRA FRUIT " wins Double Gold for the 3rd consecutive year; " The CHOYA GOLDEN UME FRUIT " wins its first Double Gold
"The CHOYA AGED 3YEARS EXTRA FRUIT" and " The CHOYA GOLDEN UME FRUIT " Win Double Gold, and "The CHOYA FRENCH OAK" Wins Gold at the SFWSC 2026 International Spirits Competition
" The CHOYA AGED 3YEARS EXTRA FRUIT " wins Double Gold for the 3rd consecutive year; " The CHOYA GOLDEN UME FRUIT " wins its first Double Gold
" The CHOYA AGED 3YEARS EXTRA FRUIT " wins Double Gold for the 3rd consecutive year; " The CHOYA GOLDEN UME FRUIT " wins its first Double Gold
" The CHOYA AGED 3YEARS EXTRA FRUIT " wins Double Gold for the 3rd consecutive year; " The CHOYA GOLDEN UME FRUIT " wins its first Double Gold
CHOYA UMESHU CO. LTD. (Headquarters: Habikino City, Osaka; President: Shigehiro Kondo; hereinafter “CHOYA”) is pleased to announce that its authentic Umeshu products, “The CHOYA AGED 3YEARS EXTRA FRUIT” and ” The CHOYA GOLDEN UME FRUIT,” have been awarded the Double Gold, and “The CHOYA FRENCH OAK” has been awarded the Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) 2026, a prestigious international spirits competition.
About the SFWSC (The San Francisco World Spirits Competition)
Established in 2000, the SFWSC is one of the most influential spirits competitions in the world. Marking its 26th anniversary this year, SFWSC 2026 received over 4,000 entries from more than 70 countries worldwide. Awards are classified into four tiers: “Double Gold,” “Gold,” “Silver,” and “Bronze.” Judging is conducted through rigorous blind tastings by a panel of more than 60 experienced experts. The “Double Gold” medal is awarded to products that receive a Gold rating from every member of the judging panel.
Official SFWSC website：https://thetastingalliance.com/events/san-francisco-world-spirits-competition
SFWSC 2026 results：https://thetastingalliance.com/results
■ Awarded Products Introduction
- The CHOYA AGED 3YEARS EXTRA FRUIT
Awarded Double Gold
This product features a deep, lingering matured character achieved by still-aging the ume liqueur in storage tanks for over three years. It is beautifully blended with a fruity puree made by whole-sieving fully ripened Nanko-ume whose maturity has been enhanced to the limit. This authentic Umeshu is characterized by its mellow aged flavor, the smooth texture of the ume puree, and a refreshing aftertaste. At SFWSC 2024, it won the “Double Gold,” the highest award in the fruit liqueur category “Best of Class Fruit Liqueur,” and the highest honor across all liqueur categories “Best in Show Liqueur,” earning the title of the world’s No. 1 liqueur. It also won the “Double Gold” at last year’s SFWSC 2025, making this the third consecutive year it has received the Double Gold medal.
■ Product Information
- Product Name
- The CHOYA AGED 3 YEARS EXTRA FRUIT
- Alcohol Content
- 15%
- Classification
- Liqueur (Authentic Umeshu)
- Volume
- 700ml
- Ingredients
- Ume (Kishu Nanko-ume), Sugars, Alcohol, Ume Puree (Ume (Kishu Nanko-ume))
- Price
- Suggested Retail Price 4,000 JPY (excluding tax)
- Release Date
- Released in March 2026
(Released in overseas and duty-free markets in July 2019)
- The CHOYA GOLDEN UME FRUIT (The CHOYA 至極の梅 / Shigoku no Ume)
Awarded Double Gold
Plump and thick Kishu Nanko-ume with soft flesh are steeped solely in sugars and alcohol and aged for over one year. This authentic Umeshu contains actual ume fruits and features a rich aroma combined with a vibrant, robust acidity. This marks the product’s first-ever Double Gold award.
■ Product Information
- Product Name
- The CHOYA GOLDEN UME FRUIT
- Alcohol Content
- 15%
- Classification
- Liqueur (Authentic Umeshu)
- Volume
- 650ml (Ume fruit volume: 100ml)
- Ingredients
- Ume (Kishu Nanko-ume), Sugars, Alcohol
- Price
- Suggested Retail Price 1,200 JPY (excluding tax)
- Release Date
- Released in March 2019
- The CHOYA FRENCH OAK
Awarded Gold
This precious authentic Umeshu is made from a base ume liqueur aged for three years in dedicated Umeshu tanks, which is then further matured for over two years in roasted French oak casks, resulting in a total aging period of more than five years. It delivers an elegant fragrance of French oak layered over a rich, sweet aroma. Despite its deep, profound color, it features a well-balanced taste with a smooth and gentle acidity.
■ Product Information
- Product Name
- The CHOYA FRENCH OAK
- Alcohol Content
- 15%
- Classification
- Liqueur (Authentic Umeshu)
- Volume
- 700ml
- Ingredients
- Ume (Kishu Nanko-ume), Sugars, Alcohol
- Price
- Suggested Retail Price 5,500 JPY (excluding tax)
- Release Date
- Released in September 2025 as a Limited Edition
(Released in overseas and duty-free markets in September 2024)
Under the slogan “Deliver the power of Ume (とどけ、梅のちから。)”, CHOYA pursues new possibilities for Ume and delivers the wonders of Ume to people all over the world, helping them lead healthy and delightful daily lives.
